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Nutrition guide

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment Versus Pixi Beauty Collagen & Retinol Serum

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment Versus Pixi Beauty Collagen & Retinol Serum This acne treatment is formulated around Adapalene to clear breakouts and refine skin texture. This anti-aging serum is formulated around Retinol and Acetyl Heptapeptide-4 t

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment Versus Pixi Beauty Collagen & Retinol Serum

This acne treatment is formulated around Adapalene to clear breakouts and refine skin texture.

This anti-aging serum is formulated around Retinol and Acetyl Heptapeptide-4 to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Adapalene 0.1%

Carbomer

Disodium EDTA

Methylparaben

Poloxamer 182

Propylene Glycol

Water

Sodium Hydroxide

Adapalene 0.1%, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Poloxamer 182, Propylene Glycol, Water, Sodium Hydroxide

Glycerin

Acacia Seyal Gum Extract

Retinol

Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer

Acetyl Heptapeptide-4

Niacinamide

Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract

Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract

Ascorbic Acid

Tocopheryl Acetate

Citric Acid

Potassium Sorbate

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Caprylyl Glycol

Propyl Gallate

BHT

Water, Glycerin, Acacia Seyal Gum Extract, Retinol, Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Niacinamide, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Carbomer, Potassium Sorbate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Propyl Gallate, BHT

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Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.

Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.

It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.

Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.

A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.

Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.

This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:

On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.

One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).

Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.

You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!

Similar Comparisons

SUPPLEMENTAL FIELD FILE

Notes to carry forward.

Source-derived references linked through this guide’s public topic markers.

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REFERENCE CARDS

Ingredients, lists & structured values

INGREDIENT LIST

Ingredients Explained

  • Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
  • So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
  • You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
  • Glycine Soja Oil is a plant-derived oil from soybean seeds. Like other oils, it is rich in essential fatty acids (mostly linoleic and oleic) that support skin hydration and barrier function.
  • The fatty acids are able to integrate into the lipid matrix of the stratum corneum to help soften skin and reduce water loss.
  • On top of that, soybean oil is rich in vitamins like vitamin E, a potent antioxidant.
  • Research on soybean's active components also point to anti-inflammatory, collagen-stimulating, antioxidant activity, and protection against UV-induced oxidative damage.
  • Most of this research applies to the broader soybean plant and not just the oil fraction alone.
  • This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe due to the oleic acid content.
  • Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
  • It’s often used to:
  • Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
  • Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate isn't fungal acne safe.
  • Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
  • Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
  • Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
  • Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
  • This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Source trail · skinsort.com →
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PROVISION SHELF

Products & side-by-side records